Olympic Representative

An L.A. businesswoman is tapped for the official U.S. delegation to the Nagano Olympics

BY STACY LAVILLA

File Photo

Renge: "It is probably the proudest moment in my life."

Like most of us, businesswoman I. Beth Renge thought that her participation in the Winter Olympic games would involve watching her favorite events on television.

Little did she know, however, that she would not only attend the 1998 Winter Olympic games in Nagano, Japan, but represent her country in the process.

To her surprise, Renge received a phone call from Washington two weeks ago, notifying her that she had been chosen to accompany Tipper Gore, wife of Vice President Al Gore, as part of a U.S. delegation to the 1998 Winter Olympics.

The call came from out of nowhere, according to Renge.

"I was completely shocked," said Renge. "I got the call from the office of protocol from the State Department and it was one of those unforgettable moments."

For Renge, who left for Nagano earlier this week, the trip marks the second time she was called on to represent the United States in Japan.

In 1985, Renge was a member of a U.S. delegation that went to Japan as part of a two-week cultural exchange. Renge was one of six Japanese Americans asked to participate in the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party-sponsored exchange called the "Friendship Project."

"We went there to find out if we had things in common, if we could work together, if we could understand each other's countries," Renge said.

The trip was the first for both Renge and her parents, and represented a homecoming of sorts.

"That was an interesting time because it was the first time myself and my parents went to Japan. I saw nine generations of one of my mother's family buried," Renge said. "I'm very Americanized, but when I went to Japan I felt I grew up Japanese."

With this trip to Nagano, Japan, however, Renge feels as if she has come full circle.

Both of Renge's American-born parents witnessed an ugly chapter in U.S. history first-hand when they were interned during World War II in Jerome, Ark. For Renge, being able to represent her country so many years later as a Japanese American citizen is extremely satisfying.

"Here I am representing the United States and going to Japan where my roots are," Renge said.

Renge is one of seven individuals to make up this eclectic group of U.S. delegation members. Other members accompanying Tipper Gore are Thomas Foley, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, 1984 Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton, and National Geographic photographer and author Jodi Cobb.

As a member of the delegation, Renge will attend the closing ceremonies, a party with the athletes, and a long list of activities, many of which are being kept under wraps, said Renge.

"They're keeping the schedule pretty tight-lipped ... But I'm just so excited to be around these interesting accomplished people," Renge said.

While she may not be quick to acknowledge it, Renge herself has a considerable list of accomplishments both professionally, with her 17 years of experience in the investment banking arena, and through her community activities.

Renge steered herself toward a career in investment banking immediately following college. After graduating from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., with a bachelor of science degree in business administration, she joined the San Francisco-based Kidder, Peabody & Co. as a sales assistant in retail sales.

Renge left the firm after almost a year to join Dean Witter Reynolds & Co. where she ascended through the ranks and became assistant vice president of retail sales, a position which left her responsible for managing clients' stock and bond portfolios.

Three years later Renge found herself back at Kidder, Peabody & Co., only this time she returned as vice president of corporate services and retail sales. In her new role, Renge managed investment portfolios for municipalities, small institutions, and individual clients.

After spending 10 years with private brokerage firms, Renge decided to venture out and start her own company, Renge Securities & Co., which specializes in tax-exempt financing of low-income housing and economic development projects. In doing so, Renge created the first Japanese American woman-owned investment banking firm, with a roster of clients including the City & County of San Francisco, the City of San Diego, and the State of California.

Renge's financial and investment expertise was called on in numerous instances. In 1993 she served as a panelist for the California Economic Summit and President Clinton's Economic Conference.

Although running her own company leaves her with little spare time, Renge is involved with a variety of causes. She has served on the board of directors for numerous organizations ranging from the American Red Cross to California Leadership, a nonprofit organization focused on leadership development. And she has extended her efforts to the Japanese American Citizens League, the Japan Society of Northern California, and the Asian American Manufacturers Association.

Renge, who was notified of her selection to the delegation approximately a week prior to leaving for Japan, is thrilled about attending her first Olympics.

"I'm just so extremely proud to represent the U.S. on this delegation, it is the last Olympics of the 20th century, Japan represents my heritage. It is probably the proudest moment in my life."

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